Chapter - 1 The Last Lesson ANS: The words 'France, Alsace' were written in the new copies

brought by M. Hamel for the students in a beautiful round hand.

Important Questions Answers (HS 2017)

VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS ~1 Marks 8. What is the name of the blacksmith in "The Last Lesson".
(HS 2018)
1. I started for school very late that morning. Who is the 'I'
'here'? (HS 2012) ANS: The blacksmith in "The Last lesson" was Witcher.

ANS: The I here refers to little Franz. 9. What is the Name of the river mentioned in "The Last
Lesson" ? (HS 2019)
2.What did M. Hamel do when he wanted to go on a
holiday? (HS 2013) Ans: The Name of the river mentioned in "The Last Lesson" is
Saar.
ANS: Whenever M. Hame! wanted to go on a holiday or for fishing,
he just gave his students also a holiday, 10. Who is the writer of the story "The Last Lesson". (HS
2022,2023)
3.Why was the lesson called the 'Last Lesson"? (HS 2014)
Ans: Alphonse Daudet.
ANS: It was the last lesson as an order from Berlin came that only
German would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine from SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS ~2 Marks
the very next day
1.Why did little Franz want to spend his day out of doors?
4. What had been put up on the bulletin board? (HS 2014) (HS 2012)

ANS: An order from Berlin that German language was to be ANS:M. Hamel announced that he would question his students on
imposed on the people of Alsace and Lorraine was put up on the participles. But Franz had not prepared his lessons and had also
bulletin board. started late for school. So, he feared a scolding from his teacher,
M. Hamel. Moreover, the warm weather, the bright day, the woods,
5. What did M Hamel write at the end of the class? (HS open fields and chirping of birds amuzed Franz a lot. Hence, he was
2015) tempted to run away from school and spend his day out of doors.

ANS: "Vive la France !" 2.What are M Hamel's views about the French language?
(HS 2012, 2013, 2016)
6. What did Franz think 'for a moment'?(HS 2016)
ANS:According to M Hamel the French language was world's most
ANS: For a moment Franz thought of running away and spending beautiful, clearest and logical language and therefore it should be
the glorious day outdoors in a more pleasurable manner. guarded and should not be forgotten by them. He also added that
the love with one's own language can be proven as the key to the
7. What was written in the new copies brought by M. Hamel prison for the people who are enslaved.
for the students in a beautiful round hand?
3.What was the commotion that Franz anticipated in the
classroom? (HS 2013, 2015)
ANS: Franz anticipated the usual scenario on reaching the school. himself because he often gave his pupils a holiday or asked them
There used to be great bustle, which could be heard out in street, to water his flowers whenever he wanted to go for fishing or on a
the opening and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison very holiday.
loud and the teacher's great ruler's rapping on the table.
9. Will they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?
4.Why was the lesson called the last lesson? (HS 2014) What does this sentence suggest? Or Franz thinks, "Will
they make them sing in German, even the pigeons?" What
ANS:The lesson was called the last lesson because an order had could this mean? (HS 2018, 2025)
come from Berlin to teach only German in the schools of Alsace
and Lorraine. As the new master was supposed to come the ANS: The aforesaid sentence suggests that the Germans were
following day, it was the last French lesson of the old master. harsh and hostile rulers. They had imposed every possible rule on
the people of Alsace and Lorraine. They could take away the
5.What had been put up in the bulletinboard? (HS 2014) education of the children and their native language for their mere
political interest. Even little Franz understood the level of their
ANS:From the last two years, all the bad news had come from the hostility and so said that someday they would make even the
bulletin board. And now, another bad news shocked the residents pigeons sing in German.
and the town. An order had come from Berlin, German language
was to be imposed on the people of Alsace and Lorraine. Now only 10. What words did M. Hamel write on the blackboard
the German teachers will teach German to the French speaking before dismissing the last class? What did they mean? (HS
population school that day? 2019)

6.What was Franz expected to be prepared with for (HS ANS: Before dismissing the last class, M Hamel turned to the
2015) blackboard, and wrote the phrase, 'Vive La France! ' as large as
he could. These words meant 'Long live France', and spoke of M
ANS: Franz was expected to be prepared with participles that Hamel's great love for his country and his deep sense of
patriotism.
day for school, as Mr. Hamel had said that he would question them
on participles.

7.Why did Franz want to spend his day out of doors? (HS
2016, 2017) 11. What would Franz love to do on that sunny morning
instead of going to school? (HS 2019)
ANS: Franz had been very late for school that day. M.Hamel said
that he would question them on "participles'. Franz knew nothing ANS: Franz thought of running away and spending the day out of
about them. He was thus scared of a scolding from the teacher. To doors. He wanted to enjoy the bright day, the chirping of the birds
avoid all such troubles, he wanted to spend the day outdoors. and the drill of the Prussian soldiers. He was tempted to run away
from school.
8. Why did M. Hamel not blame Franz alone for his inability
to learn? (HS 2017)

ANS: M. Hamel did not blame Franz alone for neglecting his
studies because there were many other young as well as old
Frenchmen who could neither speak nor write their own language. 12. What, according to M. Hamel, is the great trouble with
Instead, he blamed the parents who preferred their children to not Alsace? (HS 2020)
go to school but to work on a firm or at the mills. He also blamed
Ans. According to M. Hamel, the ‘great trouble with Alsace’ is that 1. What was the order from Berlin? How did that order
its inhabitants keep on procrastinating and put off learning till affect the people of Alsace, particularly M. Hamel and his
tomorrow. students?(HS 2012)

13. What would Franz love to do on that sunny morning ANS: The order from Berlin stated that only German will be taught
instead of going to school ? (HS 2022) in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The order effected many
changes, as an unusual silence prevailed in the school, compared
Ans: He would love to spend the day out of doors. He would love to the hustle and bustle earlier. M Hamel became soft in speaking
to seek birds' eggs, or go sliding on the Saar on that sunny to the students, while the people realized the importance of their
morning instead of going to school. language. The villagers even attended the school to show respect
to M Hamel. The teacher, M. Hamel, called upon them to guard
13. Why did M. Hamel wrote "Viva La France" before dismissing their language as their language was the key to their unity and
his class? (HS 2023) liberation. Everyone listened to him with much attention and
respect.
Ans: M. Hamel wrote "Vive La France" before dismissing his class
in the short story "The Last Lesson" by Alphonse Daudet as a 2. Describe the unusual things that Franz noticed on the
gesture of love, respect, and pride towards his country. day of the last lesson. (HS 2013, 2017)

Or

Give a detailed account of the scene in the classroom on

14. What changes came over Frantz after he heard M. the day of the last old (HS 2015)
Hamel's announcement? (HS 2023)
ANS: The order from Berlin caused some changes in the school that
Ans: Franz found out that M. Hamel would not teach him French day. The entire school seemed strange and solemn. The villagers
anymore because only German was going to be taught in the were sitting on the back benches of the classroom quietly to thank
schools. This news changed Franz's attitude towards his teacher M. Hamel for his forty years of faithful service and for showing their
and school. He regretted that he had never learned his lessons respect for the country. M Hamel also had put on his best dress on
properly. that day though it was not an inspection or prize.

15. How differ on usual was the atmosphere at school on 3. How does M. Hamel make the people realize how they,
the day of the last lesson ? (2022) the students and he have been responsible for not learning
their language well? (HS 2020)
Ans: The order from Berlin caused some changes in the school that
day. The entire school seemed strange and solemn. The villagers Ans. M. Hamel did not wish to blame Franz for his failure to learn
were sitting on the back benches of the classroom quietly to thank his lessons. He said that there were others also to be blamed. The
M. Hamel for his forty years of faithful service and for showing their children’s parents were not too keen on their children getting
respect for the country. M Hamel also had put on his best dress on education. They preferred to send them to work on a farm or at the
that day though it was not an inspection or prize day. The order mills so that a little more money could be generated. M. Hamel
from Berlin also brought a sense of repentance for those who in blamed himself too, and said that he was also responsible for the
spite of having time didn't learn French properly. children’s failure to learn. He used to send them to water the
flowers in his garden instead of making them learn their lessons.
LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS ~5 Marks Whenever he wanted to go fishing, he used to give them a holiday.
He pointed out that the great trouble with the inhabitants of Alsace
was that they always practiced procrastination and put off learning ANS: The notice affected everybody deeply. Franz thought why he
their language to an indefinite time. They used to think that they wasted his time on leisure activities instead of learning his own
had plenty of time, and learning could take place later. On account language. The books which would seem him as a burden now those
of this, others will have the opportunity of telling them that despite books seemed to be old friends to him. H. Hamel was feeling guilty
being Frenchmen, they can neither speak nor read their own for sending his students for his personal tasks. Villagers were
language fluently. feeling guilty that why they did not send their children to study
instead of sending them on the farm for earning money.
4. Give a character sketch of M. Hame (HS 2025)
3. What changes did the order from Berlin cause in school
ANS: M. Hamel was a French teacher in Alsace who had taught for that day?
forty years. He was known for being strict and intimidating, often
keeping an iron ruler under his arm. Despite his stern demeanor, ANS: The order from Berlin caused man changes in the school that
he was deeply dedicated to his profession and cared about his day. The entire school seemed strange and solemn. The old
students. On his last day of teaching, due to an order from Berlin to villagers were sitting on the back benches of the classroom quietly
stop teaching French, he delivered an emotional lesson. He to thank M. Hamel for his forty years of faithful service and for
emphasized the importance of holding fast to their mother tongue, showing their respect for the country. M Hamel also had put on his
describing French as the most beautiful, clearest, and most logical best dress on that day though it was not an inspection or prize day.
language in the world. He urged his countrymen to guard it and The order from Berlin also brought a sense of repentance for those
never forget it, believing that clinging to their language was key to who in spite of having time didn't learn the French properly.
retaining their identity under foreign rule. His patriotism, honesty,
and commitment left a lasting impact on both students and 4. How did Franz's feelings about M Hamel and school
villagers. change?

ANS: Earlier Franz didn't like M. Hamel much because of his ruler
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT QUESTIONS and cranky nature and he would feel fear from him but now all
ANSWERS those feelings were entirely changed for M Hamel. The message
conveyed by M Hamel about the order from Berlin was a
1. How did Franz's feelings about M. Hamel and school thunderclap for little Franz. He immediately felt sorry for not being
change? sincere in the school and for not learning the French language and
other lessons properly. His books, which seemed a nuisance and a
ANS: Franz's feelings about M. Hamel and school changed t totally burden earlier are now Franz's old friends.
after he got to know about the order imposing German language in
his school. A strong patriotic feeling developed in him, He started 5. What reasons did M Hamel give for their lack of interest
adoring his books, which were once so heavy to carry as his old in learning French?
friends now. Moreover, Franz felt respect for his teacher, M. Hamel.
He ignored about his cranky behaviour and his ruler Instead he ANS: The lack of interest in learning French was:
wanted him to not leave the school but rather stay back.
(a) due to the parents who wanted their children to work in farm or
Thus Franz felt a new love and respect for M. Hamel and his school mill to earn,
which were earlier a nuisance for him in his life.
(b) due to the students who were reluctant to learn and often put
2. Describe the impact of notice on Franz, M. Hamel and off the lesson for the next day
senior villagers?
(c) and due to himself as he them to water the flower and gave
them off when he had to go for fishing.
6. Describe how M Hamel conducted the last lesson. 11. Why Franz was afraid of going to school that day?

ANS: In his last French class though M. Hamel was emotional he ANS: The teacher M. Hamel had asked students to prepare for a
fully involved himself in the teaching learning process. He heard test on Participles and Franz even didn't even know a single word
every lesson to the last sitting motionless in the chair. When the of it so he was not feeling like to go to school that day. Also Franz
church bell struck twelve he stood up pale and wrote 'Vive La was afraid of M Hamel's cruel iron ruler, which he usually kept
Frence' and with a gesture he communicated that the school is under his arm and he was famous as very strict teacher.
dismissed.
12. What news has been displayed on the bulletin board
7. What was unusual about M Hamel's dress on his last day since the last two years in "The Last Lesson".
in the school?
ANS: The bulletin board in the town-hall had always displayed
ANS: M Hamel had put on his ceremonial clothes on his last day in unwelcome news for the last two years. The people got the news of
the school. He was wearing a beautiful green coat, a frilled shirt, the lost battles and other terrible orders of the commanding
and a little black embroidered silk cap. This was a special officers from the bulletin board itself.
ceremonial attire which he usually wore on days of inspection and
prize distribution. 13. Why did Wachter, the blacksmith, tell Franz not to
hurry to school?
8. Mention two Things About M Hamel that surprised Franz
on his last day at school. ANS: Wachter told Franz not to hurry to school because he thought
that Franz had plenty of time to reach school. This was because of
ANS: M Hamel didn't scold Franz for being late; instead he told him the news that was displayed on the bulletin board in the town hall.
very kindly to go to his place. Also, that day he was dressed in his
best clothes: he was in his beautiful green coat. frilled shirt and 14. Why was Franz surprised to see M. Hamel on that
little black silk cap with embroidery, which he wore only on particular morning when he went in late?
inspection or prize days.
ANS: That morning, Franz was very much surprised when he saw
9. Why older villagers were presented in the class that day? his teacher, M. Hamel. M. Hamel, who was usually very strict,
seemed to be very kind and lenient that day. He didn't rebuke nor
ANS: The older villagers were presented in class as they were punish Franz for being late. Instead, he kindly asked (Franz to take
feeling sorry for not sending their children to study in school his seat as they were beginning without him. Moreover, Franz was
instead they sent them to the farms and mills to earn extra money. also surprised because M. Hamel that day, wore his best dress the
One more reason for their presence was that they wanted to pay green coat, the frilled shirt and the little black silk cap which he
their respect to the teacher who served them for forty years. wore only on special occasions.

10. "He had the courage to hear every lesson to the very
Tast." What led Franz to make this remark?

ANS: Frantz noticed how sad Hamel was on having to leave a place
which he held so dear for 40 long years and not being allowed to
teach French. any longer. But he kept a tab on his emotions and
performed his duties faithfully. He called off the class after
listening to every lesson to the last. Hamel's dignified stance and
his loyalty to his duty forced Franz to such realisation.